Friday, January 25, 2013

In Japan, during the Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) on March third,
people display dolls to celebrate their daughters.

On March 3rd, Hinamatsuri is celebrated in Japan.
Hinamatsuri traces its origins to a Heian Period (about 8th - 11th century) custom called Nagashi-bina.
People used to float paper dolls down rivers on March 3rd,
believing the dolls would carry away their bad luck.

Then, in the Muromachi Period (about 13th - 15th century), this practice was incorporated into
a
court function in which wealthy families displayed Hina dolls.
Later, in the Edo Period (about 16th - 18th century), the celebration also spread among ordinary people.

These days, Hinamatsuri has become known as a girls' festival.
Every year around this time, people display elaborate dolls of the
emperor and empress
and their attendants, praying for the future growth
and well-being of their daughters.